Neighbour threatening to sue if I don’t remove my soil pipe wall??

[Lex Hanz]

Hi, just wondered if anyone has been through the same situation? My neighbour wants to turn her garden into a car park for lodgers and has bought an expensive sports car. We can currently fit a normal size car down the driveway but the sports car is bigger than a normal size car.

She has now sent a threatening letter saying that if we don’t remove our small border which protects the soil pipe then she will sue us?

Is this allowed? There’s nothing there that isn’t not part of every other house?

Just wondered if anyone knows what can be done?

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Sue you for what exactly? In the states by any chance? If there’s a property boundary and you haven’t encroached on it, then surely they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.

 

[Murdoch]

Is this a shared drive access?

 

[snowhead]

Did she bother to discuss it with you first or has she just gone straight to a threatening letter?

Send the neighbour a letter back saying you'll lend her a tape measure for when she goes to buy a car that WILL fit down the drive.

As Murdoch, is this a shared driveway?
Are these older properties where there wasn't a driveway but a common one has been created by removal of a fence or wall or hedge?
Is there a formal agreement to allow each side access over the full width?

 

[Ric2013]

People love to threaten to sue. Realistically, they've got to take the case to court (expensive) and you hopefully paid for legal cover on your home insurance to defend your case (free). When the other side loses and picks up the costs, she may have to sell the sports car... which will solve the problem.

Sounds like a lot of huffing and puffing to scare you into compliance. You could almost call her bluff and say you've engaged your own solicitor and wondering which firm she'll be using.

We need more information. Age and history of the property and the border and soil pipe. Access rights and easements: defined on paper, or merely by usage?

If the border isn't supposed to be there... but we can't possibly know that on the available information.

 

[king of pipes]

Post some pictures of the the issues she's complaining about, keep calm and polite at all times but don't be bullied into anything, take your own legal advice and see where you both stand . Kop

 

[Chuck]

Send the neighbour a letter back saying you'll lend her a tape measure for when she goes to buy a car that WILL fit down the drive.

I imagine that @snowhead was joking when he suggested it but I would strongly recommend you don't do things like this. Don't do anything that would allow the other side to claim you are unreasonable or aggressive.

 

[SimonG]

It's one of those where the only winners will be the lawyers/solicitors.
Firstly dig out your property deeds then maybe find a solicitor that will do a free 1/2hr consultation.